Hygienic device

ABSTRACT

An illustrative embodiment of the invention discloses a lightweight shower brush that provides a physically beneficial massaging and cleaning action. The water flow intensity from the brush&#39;&#39;s scrubbing head can be varied through adjustable ports within the head that are operated by rotating the brush proper. An oscillating valve within the brush&#39;&#39;s shaft, moreover, enables the water that gushes from the scrubbing head to discharge in a pulsating manner and thereby impart an invigorating massage during application. A separate bath oil reservoir also is provided within the shaft. This reservoir communicates through two apertures with the water flowing toward the scrubbing head in order to enable measured amounts of the bath oil to mix with the water for hygienic purposes.

United States Patent 11 1 Coleman Oct. 7, 1975 HYGIENIC DEVICE 221Filed: May 18, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 361,560

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/66; 401/43; 401/271 "[51] Int. Cl. A61H 9/00; A46B11/06 [58] Field of Search 401/281, 271, 4043, 401/270; 128/66; 15/29[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,047,729 12/1912 Beardsley401/41 X 1,691,523 ll/l928 Maycen 15/29 2,357,964 9/1944 Marder et a1.401/270 2,682,868 7/1954 Fortin 128/66 2,701,563 2/1955 Fortin 128/663,271,809 9/1966 Morawski 401/43 X 3,782,837 l/l974 Feldmann 401/281FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 436,216 1 H1967 Switzerland 401/43592,510 2/1960 Canada 401/43 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney,Agent, or Firm-J. P. Sinnott, Esq.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An illustrative embodiment of the invention discloses alight-weight shower brush that provides a physically beneficialmassaging and cleaning action. The water flow intensity from the brushsscrubbing head can be varied through adjustable ports within the headthat are operated by rotating the brush proper. An oscillating valvewithin the brushs shaft, moreover, enables the water that gushes fromthe scrubbing head to discharge in a pulsating manner and thereby impartan invigorating massage during application. A separate bath oilreservoir also is provided within the shaft. This reservoir communicatesthrough two apertures with the water flowing toward the scrubbing headin order to enable measured amounts of the bath oil to mix with thewater for hygienic purposes.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of23,910,265

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,910,265

iii n 65 FIG.6

HYGIENIC DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to hygienic techniques and, more particularly, toan improved brush for washing, massaging, soaping, and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Through the years, a number of proposalshave been advanced to combine soap dispensers with scrub brushes inorder to provide an apparatus that mixes the soap with a stream of waterflowing through the brush handle and out of the scrubbing head. Many ofthese proposed designs have been characterized by complicated andexpensive valves, passageways and manufacturing methods. Other designshave required essentially permanent changes to the household plumbingchanges that are beyond the usual mechanical ability of the average homeowner or apartment dweller and require the services of a skilled plumberfor installation.

In spite of the relative complexity that has marked these earlierproposals, water flow regulation nevertheless was controlled through theinstalled faucets in the tub, sink or shower stall. This arrangementrequires the person bathing or washing to interrupt the particularactivity and make an awkward and inconvenient adjustment to the waterflow at the faucets in order to satisfy the circumstances of the moment,or otherwise to continue washing at a less than comfortable or efficientpressure and flow rate.

A number of additional inadequacies in prior scrubbrush designs also canbe identified. Those proposals, for example, which required theapplication of continuous manual pressure on some part of the brushstructure to maintain water flow through the scrubbing head werephysically inconvenient when the need arose to scrub ones own back, orto shift the brush to the other hand. In some designs, moreover, soapflow stopped if the brush was inverted or held horizontally. Water flowfrom the brush, save for faucet regulation or relaxing the grip on thebrush handle was continuous and uninterrupted.

Clearly, there is a need for a rugged, easily manufactured scrub brushthat overcomes these shortcomings. Further, a brush is needed that hasqualities that are lacking in existing designs and which can be madeavailable to the public at a reasonable cost.

SUMMARY In accordance with the invention, the disadvantages of priorscrub-brush proposals are, to a significant extent, overcome. Forexample, in an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the scrubbinghead is mounted on the shaft or handle by means of a spindle. Mounted inthis manner, the scrubbing head can be rotated relative to the shaft ina plane that is generally perpendicular to the direction of water flowthrough the head. Communicating ports are provided in the base of thescrubbing head and the end of the shaft. Rotating the scrubbing headrelative to the end of the shaft brings those communicating ports intocomplete or partial registry, as desired. This structural feature of theinvention enables the user of the brush to throttle or vary theintensity of the water flow from the scrubbing head in accordance withthe flow area common to the opposing ports in the end of the shaft andthe base of the scrubbing head. Thus, through a simple manipulation,flow control is provided for the brush at the point of use.

If necessary, flow through the brush can be stopped by moving thecommunicating ports completely out of registry with each other.

Within the shaft, and preferably near the scrubbing head, an oscillatingvalve flow pulsator can be positioned in order to interrupt the waterflow from the brush intermittently, or to cause the flow intensity topulsate. This specific characteristic of the invention provides the userwith a healthy, invigorating massage while bathing.

Also within the shaft, and disposed adjacent to the water conduit, theinvention further may provide a reservoir for liquid soap, bath oil orsome other substance. The reservoir is longitudinally disposed withinthe shaft and has, toward opposite extremities, respective holes, orapertures, that establish fluid communication between the reservoir andthe water conduit. The swiftly flowing water in the handle establishes arelatively low pressure at the conduit surface adjacent to theseapertures. The higher pressure within the liquid cleansing agent, orbath material, causes a stream of the substance within the reservoir toflow through one or both of these apertures and mix with the water.

The position of these two apertures, at opposite longitudinal ends ofthe reservoir, promotes continuous flow from the reservoir into theconduit in spite of the angle at which the brush is held or theparticular motion that the brush may be undergoing while in use.

A further aspect of the invention is characterized by a flexible gasketon the reservoir filler cap. This gasket is flat on one side andchamfered, or bevelled, on the other side. As the bathing material flowsinto the conduit, air at atmospheric pressure is allowed to enter thereservoir in order to maintain the reservoir pressure high relative tothe water pressure in the conduit. The chamfered edge of the gasketflexes readily in one direction to admit air to the reservoir andrestore atmospheric pressure. The gasket, however, restricts soap andthe like from flowing in the opposite direction out of the reservoirwhen water flow is terminated.

Naturally, other check valves can be used to restore higher pressure tothe reservoir. Typically, a spring loaded valve can be made a part ofthe reservoir filler cap. Illustratively, a very small pore also can beformed either in the filler cap gasket or in the filler cap proper. Thepore diameter is so chosen that viscous soaps, bath oils, and the likecan not drain through the pore. Air, however, can flow with freedomthrough the pore and into the reservoir and thus maintain sufficientpressure to promote soap discharge.

A holder secured to the wall near the place of use can be provided inorder to allow the brush to be stored neatly when it is not in use.

Thus, there is provided in accordance with the invention, a scrub brushthat can be readily molded in plastic to make available to the public asturdy and relatively inexpensive device that overcomes many of theinadequacies of prior designs. The flow intensity is easily adjusted atthe scrubbing head, for example. Additionally, the flow of water and ofsoap or bath oil is uninterrupted without regard to the position of thebrush or the hand of the user relative to the brush. Pulsating waterflow also is available through the incorporation of an oscillating valvestructure in the shaft.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, togetherwith other and further objects thereof, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, the scope of the invention being pointed out in the appendedclaims.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation in fullsection of a typical embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a portion of the device that is shown in FIG.1 taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 1B is a plan view of a portion of the device that is shown in FIG.1 taken along the line BB of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 2. is a bottom view of a portion of the embodiment of the inventionthat is shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the embodiment of the inventionthat is shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a typical reservoir filler cap for use in accordance with theinvention;

.FIG. 5 is a portion of a gasket for use with a reservoir flllercap;

FIG. 6 is another reservoir filler cap for use in connection with theinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a wall bracket for supporting the brushshown in FIG. 1 when it is not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For a more completeappreciation of the invention, attention is invited to FIG. 1 of thedrawing. As shown, a scrub brush, molded in plastic or fashioned fromsome other suitable material, is connected to a water supply through aflexible hose 10 that terminates in a compressible fitting 11. Athreaded collar 12 couples the hole to a threaded male nipple 13 that isformed on the water inlet end of a hollow brush shaft 14.

The shaft 14 has a main water flow conduit 15 that terminates, at thedischarge end, in an essentially rightangle turn 16. At the end of theturn 16, the conduit 15 is partially obstructed by a partition 17. Asshown in FIG. 2, the partition 17 is generally circular and has twodiametrically disposed ports 20 and 21 formed in its surface. A threadedaperture 22 also is formed in the center of the partition 17. A pair offlexible gaskets 23 and 24 circumscribe respective protruding flanges 25and 26 that establish the individual peripheries of the ports 20 and 21.A pair of stops 27 and 30 (shown in FIG. 2) protrude from the surface ofthe partition 17 in the same direction as the flanges 25 and 26.

Turning once more to FIG. 1, a rotatable scrubbing head 31 is securedadjacent to the partition 17. The head 31, moreover, is connected to thepartition by means of a spindle 32 that penetrates a centrally disposedhole 33 formed in the head 31. The spindle 32 has a threaded end whichis received in the mating threaded aperture 22 that is formed in thesurface of the partition 17.

The head 31 has a base 34 that is held in engagement with the flanges 25and 26 and the gaskets 23 and 24 on the partition 17 through the forcethat is applied by the spindle 32. Because the gaskets 23 and 24 in theuncompressed state protrude slightly beyond the respective flanges, thecompression force applied by the spindle 32 establishes a moderatedegree of frictional resistance against rotation between the base 34 ofthe head 31 and the gaskets.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base 34 of the scrubbing head 31 also isprovided with two radially oriented and diametrically arranged ports 35and 36. These ports each are of the same size as the respectiveassociated ports 20 and 21 formed in the partition 17. A travelling stop37 also is formed on the base 34. The travelling stop (not shown inFIG. 1) is engaged between the stops 27 and 30 on the partition 17. Whenso engaged the stop 37 limits the travel of head 31 to enable the setsof ports 20 and 35 and 21 and 36 on the partition and the head toregister in full alignment, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby permittingmaximum flow through these ports, or in some degree of partial registryto provide a desired change in flow velocity. Flow is, of course,terminated when the sets of ports are completely out of alignment andare not in any degree of registry with each other. The limited movementof the stop 37 that is defined by the pair of stops 27 and 30 also aidsrelative orientation by enabling the user to readily identify the fullyopen and fully closed positions, as well as partially opens intermediatepositions. The frictional forces applied by the gaskets 23 and 24,moreover, tend to stablize the position of the scrubbing head relativeto the shaft during use of the brush in order to maintain the desiredflow intensity.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the scrubbing head 31 terminates in a skirt 40and a brush plate that is generally transverse to the direction of waterflow from the shaft 14. The brush plate has a group of perforations 42that enable water from the ports to flow out of the scrubbing head. Asshown in the drawing, tufts of bristles 43 are received in, and completethe head 31. Altematively, a number of scrubbing or scouring members canbe used on the head 31. Molded rubber fingers, suction cups or a porousfoam rubber sponge are typical of the cleansing, body-contact devicesthat can be used with the invention.

Within the shaft 14, and just within the right angle 16, a flow pulsatoror interrupter 44 is positioned. For illustrative purposes, the pulsator44 has a paddle wheel 45 and a parallel vane or intermittant flowcylinder 46. The wheel 45 and the vane 46 are secured to an axle 47 thatis disposed transverse to the direction of flow within the shaft 14. Theaxle 47 is supported in ajournal 50 that is formed in a flow dividingfin 51 that separates the conduit 15 into a vane channel 52 and a paddlewheel channel 53. The extreme ends of the axle 47 are received in axlebearings 54 and 55 formed in the inner surface of the shaft.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the vane 46 is, illustratively, a solid member ofslightly greater than semicircular shape. The vane channel 52, moreover,is somewhat reduced in cross-sectional area adjacent to a recess 46Athat accommodates the vane 46. The paddle wheel 45, as shown in FIG. 1B,is received in a recess 45A. The paddle wheel channel 53 also is reducedin cross sectional area adjacent to the wheel 45. The constrictedchannel areas tend to increase liquid flow velocity as the liquidsimpinge on the paddle wheel 45 or the vane 46.

Water flowing through the paddle wheel channel 53 imparts rotary motionto the wheel 45, which causes the axle 47 to turn. The vane 46 (whichcan be somewhat more than one-half of a cylinder as.shown in thedrawing, a simple flat vane, or a cylinder with an asymmetric oroff-center bore, for instance) also turns with the axle 47 to block andthen permit water to flow toward the scrubbing head 31. Theintermittant, pulsating action of the flow through the head can providethe user of the brush with a pleasing, healthy and invigorating massagewhile bathing.

Naturally, a number of different types of automatically oscillatingvalves are suitable for this use and can be modified to providephysically beneficial water flow patterns. Thus, the period andfrequency of the pulsations, the duration of the individual pulses, andthe like, can be provided to suit individual wishes.

In order to mix soap, bath oil, medications or other substances with thewater flowing through the conduit 15, a reservoir 56 is provided in theshaft 14. As shown, the reservoir 56 is formed by a partition 57 thatforms one side of the conduit 15. A pair of apertures 60 and 61 areformed in the longitudinal extremities of the reservoir partition 57 toestablish liquid communication between the reservoir 56 and the conduit.

Water, flowing through the conduit at high velocity, establishes lowpressures in the vicinities of the apertures 60 and 6] The somewhathigher pressure in the reservoir 56 forces the substance within thereservoir to flow through the appertures 60 and 6] and mix with thestream of water. Natural flow turbulence within the conduit 15 tends toproduce good mixing, and tends to produce a lather in the event thatsoap is dispensed. For the apertures 60 and 61, diameters of 3/64 inchto 5/64 inch should be generally adequate for the purpose of theinvention.

To fill and replenish the reservoir 56 with dispensable matter, athreaded filler cap 62 is received in a mating threaded recess 63 thatis formed in the outer surface of the shaft 14. For the purpose ofenabling the user to have a firm, comfortable grip on the shaft 14, thetop of the cap 62, when fully seated in the recess 63, is flush with theouter shaft surface. If desired, this general surface area also can becorrugated, knurled, or the like, to provide a fine gripping surface.

To maintain flow from the reservoir 56 into the conduit 15, higherpressure should be maintained within the reservoir relative to thepressure in the conduit 15. In accordance with a feature of theinvention, and as shown in FIG. 4, air flow into the reservoir isprovided by means of a bevelled or chamfered gasket 64. The thin edge ofthe gasket 64 acts as a check valve that allows air to flow into thereservoir, while preventing fluids within the reservoir from flowing outin the opposite direction. A spring-loaded pressure relief valve alsocould be incorporated into the brush structure for this purpose.

A somewhat different solution to this problem is shown in FIG. 5. Thus,a gasket 65 that circumscribes the shank of the filler cap has a smallpassageway 66. The passageway 66 establishes free gas communicationbetween the reservoir and the atmosphere. The dimen' sions of thepassageway are so small, however, that the more viscous bath oils andthe like are not able to flow out of the handle in the oppositedirection.

Relying on essentially the same physical principle, FIG. 6 shows afiller cap 67 that has a or air pas- 6 sageway 70 formed in the centerof the shank. As hereinbefore mentioned, air flbws through this tinyhole and into the reservoir, while themore viscous liquids within thereservoir can not flow the other way. For manufacturing simplicity, itmay be preferable to shape the passageway 70 in a slightly conical formIn order to store the scrub-brush when'it is not in use, FIG. 7 shows asuitable wall bracket 71. The bracket-71 has a flat, circular portionthat is erected flush with a wall. Because mountings for this devicewill frequently be placed in tile bath rooms, a screw 72 at the centerof the circular bracket 71 joins the bracket to the wall at a cementedpoint that is common to four tiles. In this way, the screw 72 can easilypenetrate and remain in the cement without resorting to tile drills orother special equipment. Two protruding ears 73 and 74 extend away fromthe wall and the bracket in order to engage and support the lower edgeof the scrubbing head 31 (not shown in (FIG. 7).

The flexible hose 10 can be attached to a water tap through atemporarily applied rubber sleeve or made a part of a more permanentinstallation. In this last regard, a Tee connection at the shower nozzlethat diverts water either in whole or in part from the shower proper tothe brush can be installed through a simple manipulation or threadedcouplings.

I claim:

1. A hygienic device comprising a shaft having a conduit formed thereinfor promoting continuous flow, a scrubbing head secured to said shaftand having at least one port formed therein for fluid communication withsaid conduit, means for regulating said fluid communication, saidscrubbing head being rotatable relative to said shaft for selectivelyregistering said scrubbing head port with said conduit port, and meanswithin said conduit for automatically varying the intensity of saidfluid flow through said shaft.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein a spindle connects saidscrubbing head to said shaft for rotation relative thereto.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein means for establishingfrictional forces between said shaft and said scrubbing head areinterposed therebetween.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said frictional means furthercomprises a gasket associated with one of said ports.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said automatic flow intensityvarying means comprises a fin within said shaft conduit to establish twoflow channels, a flow-powered driving means in one of said channels, anda flow interruptor in said other channel driven by said driving meansand automatically obstructing and opening said respective channel toflow therethrough.

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a longitudinallydisposed reservoir formed in said shaft, said reservoir having apartition separating said reservoir from said conduit and havingapertures formed at the longitudinal extremeties of said partition toestablish liquid communication between said reservoir and said conduit.

7. A device according to claim 6 further comprising a filler cap inengagement with said shaft in order to establish means for filling saidreservoir, and a gasket bevelled on one side thereof interposed betweensaid cap and said shaft to promote a pressure in said reservoir that ishigher than the pressure in said conduit.

a filler cap in engagement with shaft in order to establish means forfilling said reservoir, and a gasket interposed between said cap andsaid shaft, said gasket having a passageway formed therein to enable gasto flow into said reservoir and to block liquid flow out of said

1. A hygienic device comprising a shaft having a conduit formed thereinfor promoting continuous flow, a scrubbing head secured to said shaftand having at least one port formed therein foR fluid communication withsaid conduit, means for regulating said fluid communication, saidscrubbing head being rotatable relative to said shaft for selectivelyregistering said scrubbing head port with said conduit port, and meanswithin said conduit for automatically varying the intensity of saidfluid flow through said shaft.
 2. A device according to claim 1 whereina spindle connects said scrubbing head to said shaft for rotationrelative thereto.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein means forestablishing frictional forces between said shaft and said scrubbinghead are interposed therebetween.
 4. A device according to claim 3wherein said frictional means further comprises a gasket associated withone of said ports.
 5. A device according to claim 1 wherein saidautomatic flow intensity varying means comprises a fin within said shaftconduit to establish two flow channels, a flow-powered driving means inone of said channels, and a flow interruptor in said other channeldriven by said driving means and automatically obstructing and openingsaid respective channel to flow therethrough.
 6. A device according toclaim 1 further comprising a longitudinally disposed reservoir formed insaid shaft, said reservoir having a partition separating said reservoirfrom said conduit and having apertures formed at the longitudinalextremeties of said partition to establish liquid communication betweensaid reservoir and said conduit.
 7. A device according to claim 6further comprising a filler cap in engagement with said shaft in orderto establish means for filling said reservoir, and a gasket bevelled onone side thereof interposed between said cap and said shaft to promote apressure in said reservoir that is higher than the pressure in saidconduit.
 8. A device according to claim 6 further comprising a fillercap in engagement with said shaft in order to establish means forfilling said reservoir, said cap having a passageway formed therein toenable gas to flow into said reservoir and to block liquid flow out ofsaid reservoir.
 9. A device according to claim 6 further comprising afiller cap in engagement with shaft in order to establish means forfilling said reservoir, and a gasket interposed between said cap andsaid shaft, said gasket having a passageway formed therein to enable gasto flow into said reservoir and to block liquid flow out of saidreservoir.